Page 165 of I'm sorry, Princess

And then, he steps out of the shower.

My chest caves. My pulse hammers so loudly it drowns out the music thundering faintly from below.

Water drips down his body in slow, merciless trails, cutting through the fresh ink on his abdomen and running across muscle carved like marble. His dark brown curls cling wetly to his forehead, his towel slung carelessly around his hips. He doesn’t look like a man stepping out of a shower, he looks like a storm made flesh.

And those blue eyes.

They lock on me instantly, like he knew I was here. Like he felt me trespassing in his orbit.

If I weren’t shaking with rage, if my heart weren’t splitting in two, I’d throw myself at him. I’d climb him, sink into him, and forget everything. But I can’t. Not when Ashley, the brunette with her red lips and smug smile, is still in the air like smoke.

God, I want to kill him. And her.

“Thank you for bringing the files, Ashley.” His tone is smooth, detached, not even sparing her a glance. “Nexttime, leave them at reception, as instructed. No need to deliver them here.”

She nods with a little smirk, satisfied with the damage she’s inflicted, and leaves.

The door clicks shut.

It’s only us. The silence screams louder than any club bass. He leans against the frame, arms folded, his face unreadable, waiting for me to explain why I barged into his world.

My throat burns, my chest aches. And the only thing I manage to spit out is:

“Stay away from me.”

Pathetic.

His head tilts slightly, a cruel smirk ghosting his lips. “You know you’re the one in my room, right?”

I snap.

“You stay away from me, and the people I care about!” My voice shakes with rage, tears threatening to break. “Why the fuck did you beat Ian?”

His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t answer.

“You broke up with me!” I scream, the words ripping through my chest. “You ended it, remember? So who the fuck are you to decide what happens in my life now?”

In two strides he closes the distance, his shadow swallowing mine. His voice is a dark growl against my lips.

“I’m your man.”

I laugh, broken, bitter. “We’re over, remember? Or did you forget while you were busy entertaining your little assistant?”

His smirk deepens, infuriating, lethal. “Are you jealous, princess?”

The word princess slams into me like a blade. His nearness overwhelms, his scent of mint and soap suffocating me. My hand flies before I can stop it, smack.The slap echoes in the suite, my palm stinging, my chest heaving.

“How dare you?” I choke, pounding my fists against his chest. “How dare you replace me in two weeks?! How dare you throw us away like nothing and then crawl into someone else’s bed?!” My voice cracks, my vision blurs. “I’m not jealous,” a sob breaks the lie in half “I’m just done. I’m done with you. Leave me the fuck alone!”

His hand shoots up, fingers clamping around my cheeks, forcing my gaze into his. His eyes are oceans of ice and fire, swirling with rage, anguish, obsession.

“You think I replaced you?” His breath is ragged, his forehead pressing to mine. “You’re everywhere, Serena. Every-fucking-where. You crawl into my head when I sleep, you haunt me when I’m awake. You’ve poisoned my soul. I can’t breathe without you.” His voice breaks into a growl. “You betrayed me, and I still want to chain you to me until the end of time. I should’ve snapped his neck for touching what’s mine. The only reason I didn’t is because of you.”

My body trembles against his grip. My back hits the door hard when he cages me in, slamming his fist against the wood beside my head. The sound ricochets through me.

“You had another woman in this room five minutes ago!” I sob, shoving him, but he doesn’t budge.

“I had no idea she was here. I came out because I heard you.” His chest rises and falls violently. “Do you get it, Serena? You drive me fucking insane. You’re the voice in my head that makes me destroy everything I touch.”